NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICSModule NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS I
Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: Alessia Rita TRICOMIExpected Learning Outcomes
Our current understanding of the sub-atomic Universe is based on a number of profound theoretical ideas that are embodied in the Standard Model of particle physics. However, the development of the Standard Model would not have been possible without a close interplay between theory and experiment. Starting from the first evidence of the nuclear structure, the course aims to discuss our current understanding of Particle Physics.
Course Structure
The course is based on lectures and examples.
Should the circumstances require online or blended teaching, appropriate modifications to what is hereby stated may be introduced, in order to achieve the main objectives of the course.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Risultati della traduzione
Attendance to the course is usually compulsory (consult the Academic Regulations of the Course of Studies)
Detailed Course Content
The weak interaction
Phenomenology of beta decay. Leptons and neutrinos. Invariances and symmetries. Non conservation of parity in beta decay. Experiment of Wu and collaborators. Cowan-Reines Experiment. Neutrinos and antineutrinos. Mass of the neutrino. Neutrino as particle of Dirac or Majorana?
The weak interactions of leptons
Lepton universality. Neutrino scattering. Neutrino scattering experiments. Structure functions in neutrino interactions. Charged-current electron–proton scattering.
Advanced relativistic kinematics and cross-section evaluation
Textbook Information
The use of minutes of the lectures as well as of summary papers provided during the course is strongly suggested
Reference books:
W. E. Burcham and M. Jobes, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Pearson Education
Mark Thomson, Modern Particle Physics, Cambridge University Press
B.Pohv et al: Particles and Nuclei; Bollati Boringhieri, Torino.
R.N. Cahn e G. Goldhaber The Experimental Foundations of Particle Physics, Cambridge University Press
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weak decay 6 | Lecture NotesBurcham Jobes |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Learning evaluation methods and criteria: the exam will focus on an oral test aimed at verifying the student's critical abilities to deal with the phenomenological and experimental problems of nuclear and particle physics. The ability and clarity of presentation, the ability to frame the required topic in a general context and the ability to use the physical and calculation tools learned will be verified.
Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.
Criteria for awarding the final grade: the final grade will arise from the outcome of the oral exam in which the greatest weight will be given to the critical skills shown by the student.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
The questions below are not an exhaustive list but are just a few examples
Transformations from the laboratory system to the center of mass system
Universality of leptons
Beta decays